The Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds prepare for game two of their three-game showdown in Cincinnati on Wednesday evening. The Braves are in a heated competition with the New York Mets for the final NL Wildcard spot, with fewer than two weeks remaining in the regular season. Meanwhile, the Reds are concluding another season without playoff contention, now taking on the role of spoilers. The pitching duel on Wednesday night features Braves rookie right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach (6-7, 3.73) against Reds reliever-turned-starter Jakob Junis (4-0, 2.73). First pitch is set for 6:40 PM EST.
Braves Look to Rookie Schwellenbach for Momentum
The Atlanta Braves’ impressive streak of six consecutive NL East Division titles is coming to an end, yet their hopes for a playoff appearance remain alive. They have struggled with a record of 28-26 since the All-Star Break and faced significant injuries to key players throughout the season. With a recent record of 5-5 in their last ten games, the Braves find themselves tied with the Mets for the final wildcard spot. After suffering a 9-0 defeat to the Dodgers, they faced a disappointing 6-5 loss to the Reds on Tuesday, squandering a 5-2 lead in the process. Currently, they sit two games behind the Mets in the wildcard race.
The Braves are placing significant reliance on rookie righty Spencer Schwellenbach, who has stepped up amid the rotation’s injury struggles. Schwellenbach holds a 6-7 record with a 3.73 ERA and a WHIP of 1.10 across 103.2 innings. He has limited walks to just 20 while amassing 113 strikeouts, although he has allowed 13 home runs. In his most recent outing against the Dodgers, Schwellenbach pitched six innings, yielding four hits and two runs while striking out six.
Key Injuries: SP Reynaldo, 2B Ozzie Albies, and 3B Austin Riley are sidelined.
Reds Turn to Junis in Game Two
As the Reds look ahead to next season, the front office is focused on refining their roster to create a balanced mix of young talent and experienced players in hopes of improving their standing in the NL Central. The Reds have recorded a 26-28 record since the All-Star Break, losing ground in the playoff chase. They enter this series with a 5-5 record in their last ten games, including recent victories against the Twins over the weekend. In the series opener against the Braves, a two-run home run from Spencer Steer in the seventh inning secured a comeback win for the Reds, finishing at 6-5.
In game two, the Reds will start Jakob Junis, who has transitioned from a bullpen role to a starting pitcher. The veteran righty boasts an unbeaten record of 4-0 this season, with an impressive 2.73 ERA and a WHIP of 0.89. He has allowed only 43 hits over 56 innings, striking out 42 batters while walking seven. Recently, Junis has pitched five innings in both of his last two starts, allowing three hits and one earned run in a previous outing against the Cardinals.
Key Injuries: SP Hunter Greene, SP Andrew Abbott, RF Nick Martini, and RP Sam Moll are out.
Best Bets for Atlanta Braves vs. Cincinnati Reds
For those monitoring pitching performances, Schwellenbach stands out with a K/9 rate exceeding 11 in his last ten games, drawing comparisons to teammate Chris Sale. His recent ERA of 3.00 showcases his ability to deliver quality starts, achieving this in half of his outings this season. Conversely, Reds starter Junis, despite a solid WHIP of 0.89, has recorded only 42 strikeouts in over 50 innings pitched. His limited ability to stretch beyond five innings puts additional pressure on a Reds bullpen currently ranked in the middle tier across Major League Baseball. The Braves are well aware of the stakes, needing to secure wins to maintain their pursuit of the final wildcard spot against the Mets.
